A massive dark cloud burst some 4,000 feet above the Halemaumau Crater on Hawaii's Kilauea volcano Tuesday morning, dropping ash in its path as it drifted to the southwest.

The U.S. Geological Survey released a status report Tuesday at 12:45 PST on the volcano that has erupted for more than a week, saying ash was falling in the Ka'u Desert in the morning.

Winds are forecast to continue carrying the ash to the southwest into the early afternoon across the Kau District, including the Punaluu, Wood Valley, Naalehu communities, the National Weather Service Hawaii reports.

"Avoid excessive exposure to ash which is an eye and respiratory irritant," the NWS warns. "Those with respiratory sensitivities should take extra precaution to minimize exposure."

Nearly 20 fissures have opened since the Kilauea volcano started erupting almost two weeks ago. A fissure that opened Sunday led authorities to order 10 people to flee their homes, Hawaii County Managing Director Wil Okabe said. (May 15)

Media: Associated Press

On Tuesday, the Hawaii State Health Department warned vents produced by the Kilauea volcano are releasing high levels of sulfur dioxide gas that poses an immediate danger to anyone in the Lanipuna Gardens neighborhood and surrounding farm lots.

The gases may cause choking and some people may not be able to breathe.

The state raised its alert for the gases to a "code-red level" in the Lanipuna Gardens neighborhood on the island's south side where multiple fissures have opened up, emitting gas and lava.